Becoming Kid Quixote : a true story of belonging in America

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Title:

Becoming Kid Quixote : a true story of belonging in America

Author:

Sierra, Sarah, author.

ISBN:

9780062943262

Edition:

1st ed.

Physical Description:

215 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.

Contents:

About me -- Diade Los Muertos -- Rehearsals -- Our Lady of Guadalupe-- Hunter College -- Cleo Sings -- To the Library! -- My Abuela Araceli -- The Tower of Babel -- My Father -- My Abuela Beatriz -- My Tiger -- Easter -- The Universe -- My Mother -- The Morgan Library -- I'm Going to Middle School -- Ten Cousins -- The Recording Studio -- Mi Familia Is My Best of All -- Acknowledgments.

Personal Subject:

Cervantes Saavedra, Miguel de, 1547-1616. Don Quixote.

Subject Term:

Genre:

Added Author:

Summary:

A young readers' companion to the adult novel Kid Quixotes by Stephen Haff. Narrated by one extraordinary ten-year-old girl, this inspiring memoir tells the story of a daughter of Mexican American immigrants who finds her voice through the power of words and performance of Cervantes' Don Quixote. When a shy girl named Sarah Sierra first joins an after-school program in her neighborhood, she never expects to travel back in time and discover the words of Miguel de Cervantes. But at Still Waters in a Storm, a teacher named Stephen and a group of kids have pushed together tables piled high with books so they can gather round to talk about and translate Cervantes' classic, Don Quixote de La Mancha. They begin to reimagine Don Quixote--the story of an idealistic dreamer from Spain who traveled around trying to right the world's wrongs--as the story of a group of modern-day kids from immigrant families in Brooklyn. The stories the kids write in class become a musical play--expressing the plight of today's immigrants and using Quixote as inspiration. And Sarah, once very shy, soon will play the leading role as Kid Quixote.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake)	J 973.046872 SIE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Park Grove Library (Cottage Grove)	J 973.046872 SIE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury)	J 973.046872 SIE	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Stillwater Public Library	J 973.046872 SIE	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

A young readers' companion to the adult memoir Kid Quixotes by Stephen Haff.

Narrated by one extraordinary ten-year-old girl, this inspiring memoir tells the story of a daughter of Mexican American immigrants who finds her voice through the power of words and performance of Cervantes' Don Quixote.

When a shy girl named Sarah Sierra first joins an after-school program in her neighborhood, she never expects to travel back in time and discover the words of Miguel de Cervantes. But at Still Waters in a Storm, a teacher named Stephen and a group of kids have pushed together tables piled high with books so they can gather round to talk about and translate Cervantes' classic, Don Quixote de La Mancha.

They begin to reimagine Don Quixote--the story of an idealistic dreamer from Spain who traveled around trying to right the world's wrongs--as the story of a group of modern-day kids from immigrant families in Brooklyn.

The stories the kids write in class become a musical play--expressing the plight of today's immigrants and using Quixote as inspiration. And Sarah, once very shy, soon will play the leading role as Kid Quixote.

Perfect for fans of I Am Malala, Dear America, and The Freedom Writers Diary, this stirring true story will inspire you to imagine, to speak up, and to sing out.

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 3--6--Ten-year-old Sarah Sierra's bilingual chapter book discusses her experience as a Mexican American girl living in Brooklyn. Published to accompany the play The Traveling Serialized Adventures of Kid Quixote (an original adaptation of Don Quixote by the children of Brooklyn-based writing program Still Waters in a Storm), the diary-like chapters follow Sarah as she writes, rehearses, coaches her younger sister, and reflects on her immigrant family's life in America. Co-written by Sarah and the play's director, Stephen Haff, the young narrator's voice truly shines. The content is both educational and celebratory. For example, while many young people will already know about toronjil, the lemony herb that some Mexican parents prepare for their sick kids, others will be excited to learn about it and gain further insight into Sarah's world. Don Quixote, children in detention, food, space science, and other topics all fit flawlessly into the scope of this work. The language is simple yet reflective of the author's inner world: "People making good food is one of the first things I think of when I think about my family." The most powerful passages detail Sarah's thoughts and feelings during the writing process, how ideas came to her, and how proud she feels when she hears them performed on stage. VERDICT Sarah's story is a beautiful representation of one young Mexican American girl's journey to claim her identity. This important book spotlights a community using the arts to break down social borders.--Sierra Dickey, Center for New Americans, Northampton, MA

Kirkus Review

A shy girl takes on the world through her acting.For Sarah Sierra, a 10-year-old Mexican American girl from Brooklyn, her after-school program Still Waters in a Storm is the perfect haven. Though she considers herself a shy person, at Still Waters Sarah sings, writes, and acts along with other children and teenagers. To Sarah's surprise she is also able to easily identify with her character, Kid Quixote, as they adapt and update Miguel de Cervantes' 400-year-old novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha. The adapted play is then performed in a serialized format throughout New York and the country. Inspired by their pen pals from Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, the actors at Still Waters often include immigration in their work. For example, Sarah uses a stuffed horse as Rocinante, Quixote's faithful steed, to rescue an undocumented farm worker who hasn't been paid fair wages. In this young reader's companion to Kid Quixotes (2020) by Stephen Haff (creator and director at Still Waters), Sarah recounts, with help from Haff, her creative process and how she uses her experiences at Still Waters to decipher and overcome real-world challenges. Through this empathetic and inspiring account of the imagination, triumphs, and worries of a child of immigrants, readers will be constantly reminded of the importance of stories to the triumph over and processing of difficult experiences.A tender, inspiring, and courageous true story. (Memoir. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

This is the true story of Sarah Sierra, a 10-year-old member of a traveling, performing group from Brooklyn, New York. Mexican American Sarah loves playing the lead role of Kid Quixote because, just like Don Quixote, she wants to make the world a better place. Through this memoir, adapted from the adult companion book written by Sarah's teacher (Kid Quixotes, 2020), she lets readers into her world, gathering inspiration from her family, friends, and community as she develops her character in her performances. She offers glimpses of her daily life as she celebrates Día de los Muertos, visits her grandmother at the tortilleria, writes new scripts for the show, and eats delicious tornado crepas. Most important, Sara shares how her experiences and performances have given her the confidence to get past her shyness and speak up about issues important to her community, such as immigration and deportations. A first-person narrative and photos of Sarah and those important to her will allow readers to feel an instant connection.

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Summary

Reviews (3)

School Library Journal Review

Kirkus Review

Booklist Review

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